Mistake

Grace

Grace stared lovingly at Jaiden's sleeping form. He seemed so peaceful, and the apartment was so quiet. He was sleeping more than before. They both were, but Grace didn't mind. She'd rather starve alongside Jaiden than be full and without him. Jaiden was coming along slowly, but surely. He hadn't complained to her last time he woke. Surely he wouldn't remember anything now that she had hit him with the door handle. She kept the handles in the fridge, so she wouldn't be encouraged to punish Jaiden. He looked so peaceful.

It had begun to grow cold in the apartment. Grace didn't pay her heating bill, but she didn't mind. If she needed to, she'd snuggle alongside Jaiden and keep them both warm. He was so peaceful. It was very quiet in the apartment. It was almost too quiet...

It was too quiet in the house.

Grace had just come home from school, having to walk home because her mother had failed to pick her up. She couldn't blame her mother, though. Her mother was doing her best. Grace set her backpack down on the couch and noticed how silent it was in the house. It was deafening, pressing in on her ears. She peered into the hall. Her mother was unemployed, so Grace knew she was in the house somewhere. Maybe she needed help. Grace peered inside her mother's bedroom. It was empty, with a few bottles of liquor on the floor. She took a breath and returned to the hall. She noticed the bathroom door was closed. Grace knocked softly, but there came no reply. She slowly opened the door. Her mother was slouched against the wall near the toilet, empty bottles of alcohol at her feet. Grace was relieved to know her mother was alright, and she went to close the door when her foot slipped. She kicked a bottle into the wall, and it clattered along the floor tiles. Grace began to tremble. She hadn't meant to awaken her mother. Her mother needed to rest.

"Grace," said her mother loudly.

Grace turned, her hair slapping her face. "Mom, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to wake you, I know you need to rest."

Her mother grew furious, and her face twisted. "You shouldn't be in here!" She began to scream. "You're such a disgrace! Get out!" She grabbed an empty bottle, and before Grace could flee, she was hit by the bottle. Grace fell out into the hallway and scrambled to her feet. She collapsed onto the living room couch, her sobs echoing throughout the quiet house. She reached up to touch the welt on her head. Her sobs intensified.

Grace opened her eyes. She hadn't realized she had them closed. Jaiden still lie on the bed in the silent apartment. Grace became disheartened. Jaiden needed to be punished. He had reminded her of her mother. Grace moved to the fridge when she paused, thinking. She didn't want to hurt Jaiden's memory even more. She felt she had finally perfected his memory. She needed to punish him in some other way. She opened the drawers of her kitchen and rummaged through them. Her fingers wrapped around a knife she had never used. It was a thin but sharp knife. It would do. She moved back over to the bed and scanned Jaiden's body. Her eyes settled on his legs. He hadn't mentioned the door handles missing, but she did notice him look at the door when he had been awake. She needed to rid him of the thought of leaving. There was no reason for him to leave when he had her. Grace took a deep breath and stabbed the knife as hard as she could into his leg. She felt the blade break through his skin and catch on his bone. She looked at Jaiden. He hadn't opened his eyes. She pulled at the knife, but it didn't budge. She crawled onto the bed and sat on Jaiden's leg. Using two hands, she ripped the knife from his leg and slipped off the bed, placing the knife beside the door handles in the fridge. She wiped her hands on her jeans and brushed her hair with her fingers.

Jaiden began to stir. Eagerly, Grace hurried to his side and brushed his hair. His eyes opened, and he cried out in pain and closed them.

"It's alright, Jaiden," soothed Grace.

Jaiden opened his eyes, a few tears escaping down his face. "G-Grace," he gasped, his sweet blue eyes meeting hers. "It hurts s-so much."

Grace hesitated. Jaiden had complained. The first thing he did was complain. She shook her head and pushed the thought to the back of her mind.

Jaiden had begun to tremble. Grace laid her hand atop his. "It's alright, Jaiden. You're with me. The disgrace and mistake, together."

"Th-The disgrace and mistake..." Jaiden's voice trailed off. For a moment, his eyes fogged over. Then, he said, "Grace?"

"Yeah?" said Grace softly.

"I'm cold," he said, his eyes pleading for her.

Grace's heart fluttered, and she could feel her cheeks grow hot. "If you want, I can lay beside you to keep you warm."

Jaiden nodded shakily, and with glee, Grace crawled onto the bed. She pulled the blankets over Jaiden and her, and she laid her hand atop his chest. He smelled of blood and sweat. Grace closed her eyes, a smile on her lips. Jaiden finally understood. Grace herself understood why her mother had beaten her. Her mother was trying to be in control. Grace was in control of her mistake, and she felt good. She felt power within her blood. She held authority. Grace scoffed at herself for not seeing this before. No wonder why her mother had scolded Grace; she just wanted to be in control! Grace couldn't blame her mother. Being in control was refreshing, and empowering. Her mother would be proud. Grace hoped one day she'd be able to introduce Jaiden to her mother. Oh, how her life had become so much better.